Author:
Munish
Aggarwal writes on a variety of topics including finance, technology,
education, lifestyle, travel to name a few. The articles are well researched and written in simple language for easy comprehension by the layman.
Read more: Sunrise: Start of a new day

Baby care after one year

Babies this age are developing a real personality. She/he hugs you and loves you as their way. They are smiling when they feel happy and laugh loudly.

Sleeping habits

During the ages of 1 year to 2 year, they requires about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. They are sleeping 2-3 hours in day time and 9-10 hours at night.

Feeding habits

By about 1- 2 year old, your baby should be moving towards eating the same food that all family members are having. Although she may still be getting half or more of her daily calories from breast milk, regular food is helping to balance out their diet.

In the 2nd year, baby’s growth is slowing down and they may add only about 3-4kgs of weight. Teething also can make your baby lose interest in food. Don’t force food on her, but maintain control over her nutritious and healthful snacking between meals and breastfeed. Although you can now start foods like milk, citrus fruits, egg whites, unsweetened yogurt. Cheese is also good for baby, because it neutralizes the acid that forms in the mouth and attacks tooth enamel.

Height and Weight

They may gain around 3-4kgs during 1st year. An average 15-month-old girl weighs about 22 pounds (10kgs) and 31 inches tall. Boys tend to be about a pound heavier at 15 months but about the same height. By 2nd year, girls or boys will about 34 inches tall and 27 -28 pounds (12-13kgs) on an average weight.

Physical Changes

He/she learns to feeds self with spoon. Now they says bye or hi, claps hands and rolls a ball. From about 18 months your child will be plays alone on floor with toys and will love looking at books.

At about 18 months of age, babies realize that a word does have a meaning. When you ask him, he will point to objects or pictures and hand them over to you. He even points out his eyes, hands, nose, mouth etc if you teach him.

Movements

Your child may grow confident and skillful enough to go up and down the stairs alone.

Waking Up With Baby Separation Anxiety

When your baby is wake up during the night several times, may be he/she is not waking up because he’s hungry; but he/she is struggling with separation anxiety. He wakes up looking for you.

Encourage him to go to sleep with his toys. This will comfort him when he’s afraid, and reassure him when you’re not there.

Go to him when he cries. Try not to turn on the light, rock him.

Talk to him and pat or rub his back to soothe him.

Check for a wet diaper or signs of illness.

Do your best to leave her with people she’s familiar with.

Introduce her to new people and new situations gradually and carefully.

Try not to leave her when she’s tired, hungry, or sick.

Use a night-light in her room at night. Use only cool night-lights.

Baby Shoes

Before buying the shoes think seasonally — sandals or lightweight shoes for the summer season and sturdier shoes for winter season. Shoes should be:

Soft and flexible, allowing your baby to move her feet easily

Flat, non-skid soles so she doesn’t slide and fall

Soft, porous tops that allow feet to breathe.

Check for sizing monthly.

Home Safety As Baby Grows

It will be before your baby begins crawling or taking those first steps.

Keep his play area clear of hard, sharp-edged furniture.

Lower her crib mattress so she can’t crawl or fall out while she’s standing.

Keep poisonous substances (including household cleaners and products) in high cabinets that you can lock.

Always close the bathrooms and toilets.

Avoid leaving pots containing hot foods close to the edges of tables or counters.

Make sure you’ve got safety plugs over all electrical outlets.

Buy baby objects that are large enough that they can’t fit them into her mouth.

Keep numbers for your baby’s health care provider, the Poison Control Center, and hospital emergency room by the phone so they’re handy in case of emergency.

Don’t keep small items such as coins and other choking hazards on the floor

Signs of Sensitivity to Milk

Some babies are very sensitive to the environment and food. These babies may experience a wide range of reactions, some of which mentioned below:

Skin rashes

Watery stool

Irritability

If you’re formula feeding and if these reactions are due to milk sensitivity, then consult your baby’s health care professional and take their advice.

Baby Care

Now your baby plays more with other babies and children, he’s more likely to pick up colds and viruses. Contact with your baby’s health care professional if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Runny nose or congestion that interferes with eating or sleeping or lasts longer than a week to 10 days

Cough that is associated with vomiting or that interferes with sleep

Wheezing

Unusual fatigue and crankiness

Diarrhea or vomiting

Decreased appetite

Fever

Pulling at his ears

You have to give them recommended vaccinations that protect him/her from serious childhood illnesses.

Protecting delicate skin from harm is an important job for a parent. Here’s what you’ll need to know and do.

Moisturizers

To keep your baby’s skin healthy, you need to maintain its natural softness and strength. You can use moisturizers. For everyday lubrication, try a petroleum jelly or a gentle moisturizing cream or lotion.

Clothing

In summer days, dress your baby in lightweight cotton clothing that covers her arms and legs, and make sure she/he wears a hat for every outing. Try to avoid going out when the sun’s rays are strongest, mostly between 10 am to 3 pm.

In winter season, dress your baby in one more layer of clothing to keep her warm.

Newborns baby with little hair may need a cap, especially at night.

To avoid problems:

Wash all new clothes and linens before your baby uses them.

For the first few months, wash your baby clothes separately from your other laundry.

Use a gentle detergent and a thorough rinse cycle.

Nail Care

Your baby’s tiny fingernails are very thin and sharp and grow fast. You may need to trim them twice a week, because newborns can scratch their faces with their own nails. Use a safe baby nail cutter. You may find nail cutting easier when your baby is sleeping.

Diaper Changing

You should keep your baby as dry and comfortable as possible. Wash your baby clean with a wipe or warm washcloth before diapering. Then apply diaper ointment or petroleum jelly and put on a fresh diaper.

Spread a thin layer of zinc oxide cream or petroleum jelly over your baby’s bottom as extra protection against wetness.

If possible, use the diapers containing diaper-rash-fighting ingredients.

Let your baby go without her diaper for a while each day.

Change your newborn baby diaper as many as 10 times in a 24-hour period.

Keep in mind that a lot of wet diapers mean your baby is getting enough nutrition and is processing it normally.

If you use cloth diapers, be sure to change diaper more frequently.

The Urination Drill

Babies don’t follow any urination schedule. Newborns have immature bladder muscles that can’t hold urine for longer time. They can wet their diapers anywhere from once an hour to four times a day.

For the first few days after birth, your baby’s urine will be very pale in color, gradually turning a deeper shade of yellow as it becomes more concentrated. You may find a pinkish stain on your baby’s diaper as well. This is probably concentrated urine, and as long as your baby is wetting four or more diapers a day, it’s nothing to worry about. If this staining persists for a few days, however, or if you spot true blood in the urine or stool, call your health care provider promptly.

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Author:
Munish Aggarwal owner of Sunrise Villa Shimla, Sunrise Travels and Sunrise internet solutions, writes on a variety of topics including finance, technology, lifestyle and travel.
Read more: Sunrise: Start of a new day